Friday, December 29, 2017

2017
saw exciting technologies appear in entertainment for everyone. Companies like
Samsung, Sony and LG and Sonos presented brilliant new ways to watch our
favorite TV shows and movies, listen to music, and so much more. Action camera pioneer GoPro
demonstrated that we could soar and shoot videos with a quality and precision not possible before, while Dyson elevated household appliances to a whole new
level; here are some of the highlights of what these companies have brought us.

SAMSUNG

HDR 4K Ultra HD
Smart QLED TV /48’, 65, 75” & 85”

QLED
TV provides for a billion colors and uses Quantum Dot technology in conjunction
with a new Metal Core to enable 100% color volume - translated into visuals
where the color doesn’t fade, regardless of how bright the scene are. The panel
achieves a brightness level that is very close to natural light and so provides
for an accurate visual experience. Add in 4K HDR and the results are greater,
more lifelike detail as compared to conventional TV. Plus the Invisible
Connection, between the TV and every device plugged into it, is automatically
detected, with the included Smart Remote knowing what to do by just being aimed
at the TV.

Here’s what is being
said about the QLED TV:

"...overall an
outstanding and groundbreaking TV that takes HDR to places it hasn't gone
before.” —Forbes

"…it offers a
level of performance that was previously unimaginable for a TV of its type.”
—AVS Forum

"QLED TV is one
of the best-designed TV's ever, with sleek , modern styling and impeccable fit
and finish.” —C/NET

The Frame HDR 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV/55” & 65”

Looking
like a picture frame hanging on the wall, The Frame doesn’t fade to black when
the picture is off — instead it transforms into a work of art: users can select
from over 100 custom-designed digital art pieces to display. A sensor keeps the
color and brightness intensities of the artwork at a level consistent with the
lighting in the room, no matter the time of day. Coupled with the Invisible
Connection and a no-gap wall mount plus customizable accessory options
including interchangeable bezels and an optional Studio Stand, it is becomes
easy to compliment the user’s living space in a way that was not possible
before. Of course a sharp, clear picture with brilliant color and contrast is
assured through HDR 4K technologies for a high resolution, lifelike picture.

Here’s what is being
said about The Frame:

“This TV Is Also a
Piece of Art”—Vogue

“Imagine
your TV is mounted above your fireplace. You watch a movie or your favorite show
and turn it off. You now have a blank dark screen above your fireplace. The
Frame allows you to bring this blank space to life.” —STARPOWER

SONY

A1E BRAVIA 4K HDR Ultra HD Android Smart OLED TV/55”, 65” & 77”

Sony’s flagship brings true reality to the screen
utilizing OLED technology (organic light emitting diodes) to create exquisite
contrast with perfect black and color — 8 million+ pixels self-illuminating
precisely and individually. Color is selectively matched across a wider gamut
so that subtle colors appear naturally on screen, as 4K high resolution vies
with the brightness, color and detail of High Dynamic Range (HDR); handling a
variety of formats including HDR10, Hybrid Log-Gamma and Dolby Vision.A wide viewing angle means no jockeying for
the “sweet spot” on the couch.

The A1E also possesses unique Acoustic Surface technology,
in which the entire screen becomes the speaker — eliminating speakers beneath
or to the side of the display, yet filling the room with awe-inspiring sound.

What they’re saying about the A1E

“Sony A1 OLED review: the
best TV of all time, and then some” F—inancial Review

“The A1 OLED series is a crowd pleaser
in just about every way. Sony's ‘picture only’ design has been beautifully
realized, managing to be simultaneously subtle and dramatic. The A1's vibrating
screen delivers a far more powerful and effective sound performance than we’d
have thought possible, too.” —techradar

Z9D 4K HDR Ultra HD 3D Android Smart TV/65” & 75”

Sony’s
LCD flagship model comes equipped with Sony’s Backlight Master Drive technology
— this technology provides for near perfect black levels that other TVs can’t
match; with each LED controlled individually for a precise picture wherein each
LED emits a straight beam for a greater brightness and more accurate contrast.

Featuring
4K high resolution and the 4K Processor X1 Extremefor more real-time image processing), the
Triluminos display increases the color depth to demonstrate brighter and more
realistic colors. The X-tended Dynamic Range Pro is used to increase the
quality of HDR, with support for HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision. In addition to
built-in 3D capabilities, there is Android TV voice search and Google Cast for
sending movies and music from a smartphone to the TV.

LG

OLED 4K HDR Smart LED TV/55”, 65” & 77”

The
LG E7 Series employs OLED technology. The panel uses organic light-emitting
diodes which generate their own light, unlike the added lighting required with
a LCD panel (resulting in a thinner and less weighty TV). As a result, a
perfect back can be achieved, one with greater shadow detail. Additionally
there is an expanded color palette with over a billion colors. Add in 4K resolution
and high dynamic range (HDR) and the results are a more lifelike and realistic
looking image. Aiding in enhancing the image are such technologies as HDR10,
HLG and Dolby Vision, along with Dolby Atmos for a more precise surround sound.

The LG W7 OLED is the flagshipmodel and is also known as the W7 “wallpaper”
due to its width being an astonishing 2.5mms thin. This is due to the
electronics having been moved into a separate box that also serves as a Dolby
Atmos soundbar.

What they’re saying about LG’s OLED TVs:

(W7)
“They look more like a work of modern art than any television I've seen.”
—engadget

“...the
finest OLEDs money can buy...” —Digital Trends

“...the
LG E7 outperforms every other TV we’ve tested.” —C/NET

Super UHD 4K HDR Smart LED TV/55”, 60”, 65”,75” & 86”

Super
UHD provides for deeper and more naturally color through the use of Nano Cell
Display technology; able to display a billion lifelike colors for more subtle
and precise gradation (64 times richer than a conventional TV).Additionally, colors look consistently truer,
with black level looking deeper, regardless of whether one is looking straight
at the display or at an angle, thanks to IPS technology ensuring a wide viewing
angle. Also, Active HDR with Dolby Vision adds to the already high detail
resulting from 4K resolution. This is all contained in a space saving design.

What
customers are saying about Super UHD:

“I love the picture bought my last year Lg is a good
product!!!”

“I bought this 65” beauty a few weeks ago and I can say for
sure that the picture is a huge level up from my previous.”

SONOS

Sonos One

Not
content with merely making a smart speaker with surprisingly rich, room filling
sound, Sonos built in Amazon Alexa for hands-free music control. But more than
just playing songs, you can check news and traffic and even manage other smart
devices in the home. Add the Sonos app and all your music can be managed in one
place: Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Internet radio and hundred of other
streaming services can now be accessed.

What
do those in the know think of the Sonos One?

“The best-sounding
smart speaker you can buy” —engadget

“The Best
Voice-Activated Speaker Ever Made” —Inc.

“Alexa has never
sounded better” —The Verge

Playbase

Make
TV sound even better while not standing out — that’s why Playbase doesn’t go on
the wall but instead goes under the TV.
It’s low profile practically disappears when placed beneath any TV up to 77
lbs. Then do the simple 2-cord setup and be prepared for 2.1 Full-theater sound
that makes everythingsound better. Or
listen to music that never stops — because the streaming comes over Wi-Fi, not
Bluetooth.

What
do Playbase customers say?

“Great product and sound. One of the easiest
wifi, entertainment equipment I've ever setup. The dual band router issue
happens when the phone auto connects to the band the speaker isn't set too.”

“A master piece from Sonos! Great sound with
music or Home Theater - great bass - cannot believe it is only two inches
tall!”

“The
little action cam that could continues to be deliciously fun and shockingly
powerful for its size.” —TechCrunch

“If you're all about slo-mo and smooth 4K, GoPro's got you
covered.” —Wired

Karma

The
Karma drone folds up into a case and can be worn as a backpack so it can be
taken anywhere. But in the air is where it wants to go, so use the buttons on
the game-like controller to have it takeoff, land or return to home. Setup also
includes a flight simulator for teaching first-timers the basics of flying a
drone.

With
the stabilizer in place, a smooth ride is assured. But should you be using one
of the GoPro compatible cameras (Hero5 Back, Hero5 Session, Hero4) and want it
to be earthbound, the stabilizer detaches for hand-held and body-mounted use.

What
customers are saying

“The Karma Grip, Drone and controller setup are an
incredibly great piece of kit. They are very quick and easy to have up and
going within seconds without any fuss and bother.”

“This is amazing. Simply the best!”

DYSON

Dyson Big Ball Multi Floor Canister Vacuum

It
self-rights itself when toppled — other vacuums fall and stay down. But with
the core technologies housed in the ball (and the 2-tier radial cyclone
increasing the airflow) you can concentrate on picking up fine dust and ground
in dirt since this vacuum can turn on the spot and follow you effortlessly
around. There’s even a hygienic dirt ejector to push out trapped dirt
and debris as you empty; your hand stay clean.

Dyson Small Ball Multi Floor Vacuum

Similar
to the Big Ball but smaller, a retractable handle makes storage 50% easier than
a full-size upright. There’s an advanced self-adjusting cleaner head and the
cord wand and hose extends to 43” for cleaning up high and under furniture.

Dyson Ball Multifloor 2 Vacuum

With radial root
cyclone technology to increase suction power and trap more dirt and dust,
Dyson’s lower priced full sized upright includes a motorized brush bar that is
ideal for removing pet hair. Turn it off and it’s ready for delicate rugs and
hard floors. The cleaner head also self-adjust from carpet to hard floors.

Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister Vacuum

This
upright features the new Cyclonic technology called Dyson Cinetic Science which
eliminates the need for a filter. Its motorized brush bar handles pet hair with
ease and can be turned off for use on delicate surfaces. Greater suction is
derived from the self-adjusting cleaner head, while the ball design makes for
easy maneuvering around furniture and obstacles.

Dyson Cinetic Animal Upright Vacuum

This
upright vacuum utilizes an air-driven tangle free mini turbine tool for
cleaning upholster, cars and stairs of dust, dirt and pet hair. Its ergonomic
handle is also designed and positioned for comfortable carrying.

Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal + AllergyCanister Vacuum Cleaner

Features
include Dyson Cinetic Science to capture the dust that clogs other vacuum’s
filters, a self-adjusting cleaner head and no dirty filters to wash or replace.
Besides a smooth action (telescoping) wand and hose release for cleaning up
high and under furniture, there’s also push button release for emptying the
hygienic bin of dust and debre.

Dyson Ball Animal 2 Vacuum

Dyson’s
most powerful full size animal upright vacuum use the latest radial root
cyclone technology to increase suction power and trap more dirt and dust. There
is a HEPA filtration, a motorized brush bar and an included air-driven tangle
free mini turbine tool for cleaning upholstery, cars and stair. There is also a
quick draw telescope reach wand and an ergonomic handle.

This
vacuum is designed for cleaning across all floor types and uses a whole-machine
HEPA filtration system for trapping allergens and bacteria inside.
Ball technology makes steering into difficult places easy, and there’s no
bending down due to the turbine head being controlled at the handle. A single
button press releases the dirt from the hygienic bin.

Dyson V7 Car+Boat Cord-Free Handheld Vacuum

It’s
hassle-free because it’s cord free, with up to 30 minutes of fade-free suction.
Powered by a Dyson digital motor and including a hygienic dirt ejector, also
included is a mini motorized tool, extension hose and combination tool.

Dyson’s
latest cordless stick vacuum employs a stronger motor than previous models and
has 15% greater suction — yet it’s 50% quieter. A HEPA filtration system
captures allergens and expels cleaner air than the air you breathe. A larger
dust bin holding more is enhanced by a bigger battery that extends use to up to
40 minutes.

Dyson V8 Animal Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

With
similar features as that of the Absolute, this vacuum is engineered for homes
with pets. It captures allergens and has a selector switch that provides up to
7 minutes of higher suction for more difficult tasks.

Here’s
what they’re saying about these vacuum cleaners

[Dyson
Ball Animal 2 Vacuum] “The Dyson Ball Animal 2 upright vacuum cleaner surpasses
the other machines on our lineup in its performance and maneuverability, so it
easily earns a top spot on this list.” —Top10Reviews

[V8
Absolute] “Best of all though, it genuinely is fun to use. The sci-fi aesthetic
makes it one of the few “white goods” gadgets you’ll happily leave on show in
the house, with the transforming design as useful as it is clever. It’s worth
saving the cash for.” —techradar

“Instead of focusing on compactness or power
only, they were successful in creating a vacuum that has it all. Dyson DC50
allergy is indeed one of a kind, especially if you want a multi-purpose
vacuum.” —Clean Well Expert

The
Dyson Hair Dryer measure air temperature 20 times per second to keep the heat
consistent and produces airflow traveling at 105 mph! Powered by Dyson’s
fastest digital motor, the weight and shape is radically redesigned for a
comfort and balance when held.

The
Dyson AM09 Fan Heater provides precise, energy efficient heating, thank to an intelligent
thermostat which monitor the room as well a main ting the selected temperature.
There are no exposed heating elements and automatically cuts off if tipped
over. It features air multiplier technology which is ablade less design, eschewing any danger in
operation. Besides heat, there is also a “cool” setting to function as a fan.

What
they’re saying about this heater:

“You want to get hot, or stay cool? As a
two-in one device, the AM09 has you covered whether it’s the deepest darkest
nights of winter, or a sweltering summer’s day. As a fan heater, it can pump
out either fast blasts of cooling air, or warm cosy waves.”—techradar

“Dyson’s new fan and heater is the smartest
and most beautiful you can get of either appliance, let alone both. Whether
it’s worth its hefty price tag is a question of whether you need your fan to be
smart and beautiful — with the elegantly-engineered precision and cleverness
that brings.” —INDEPENDENT

That's only a partial recap of some of the exciting new entertainment and home technologies released during 2017—and 2018 promises even more amazing advancements. To see all of these amazing products in person, stop into any Video & Audio Center superstore showroom and ask them to see "What's new"!

Friday, December 01, 2017

It's the Holiday Season, and if you're like many of us, that means family get togethers, great sports events and entertaining with friends and family—so if you're thinking of finally putting together that great home theater, here's some help from the experts. There's a wide selection of TVs and speakers and other electronic
devices to choose from, but unless you decide to have it all professionally
installed for you by a top installation company such as Just One Touch, it's just a matter of
making a list of what you want to have, going out to get it and then putting it
all together at your own speed. But just as important are some simple tips that can ensure your
enjoyment day after day. So here's 10
tips for putting together a great home theater.

1) Decide
Where You Want Your Home Theater To Be

What
and where your home theater components are going to "live" will be
dictated by the space they occupy. If the space is small, then the big TV
you're going to get might do better being put on the wall, rather than on a
cabinet. This is the first, and perhaps the most important decision you will
make about your home theater, so take your time and consider such things as the
whether people will be tramping through it while others are watching, its
distance from the kitchen, bathroom, etc.

2) What
Kind Of Speakers Make Sense

Having
a surround sound audio system is a must for a home theater today. If the space
is large, you might want to have multiple speakers, which also means having an
amplifier connected to them (resulting in plenty of traveling wires). If the
space is small, a sound bar might be a better choice, especially as newer
models are able to "bounce"
sound off of ceilings to simulate multiple speaker placement.

3) Where
To Place The Subwoofer

Without
the deep bass of a subwoofer, audio will sound less real and explosions boring.
Placement can be behind a couch or in a corner of the room, because the bass
sound is omnidirectional. But beware of vibrations that could result in
annoyance (in the case of neighbors on the floor below) or in causing pictures
on the wall to become askew. Test it out before unveiling your home theater to
the family.

4) The
Room's Acoustics

Sound
doesn't travel just in a straight line between the speaker and you, but bounces
all over the place. To help control the sound in the room, employ drapes over
windows and place rugs on the floor if there's no carpeting. The idea being to
"absorb" some of the sound instead of it running wild.

5) Comfortable
Seating

Sitting
to watch a movie isn't the same as just lounging on the couch. Make sure the
seating is comfortable enough for long periods of time (i.e., a 2 hour movie or
more) so that there's no neck strain. In some cases it might be easier to
rearrange the seats in the home theater to accommodate the TV, rather than the
other way around.

6) Remove
Obstacles From The Room

While
aiding the room's acoustics is helpful, just as much is removing or moving
obstacles in the room affecting the viewers eyes and ears. For example, a
stuffed chair needs to be farther back than in the middle of the room so it
doesn't block viewers or impact the sound. Other examples become obvious once
the video and audio components of the home theater are in place.

7) Interior
and Exterior Lighting

A
semi-darkened room will make the TV picture stand out, so interior lights need
to be confined to small "pools" which can also help avoid disasters
when walking to/fro. These can be lamps and ceiling lights, along with others.
Lighting coming from a window or another room or area must be kept to a
minimum, if not eliminated altogether. In all cases, avoiding detail
robbing/resolution degrading glare must be given a high priority.

8) Clean
Up The Cables And Wiring

Keeping
cables and wiring straight and from lurking in areas where feet might find them
is a no-brainer. There are cable ties and wiring conduits that can be used
(again something that a professional installer does as a matter of course).
This not only makes the home theater look better, but keeps everything that's
connected working optimally.

9) Cleaning
Maintenance

Regular
cleaning of the components in your home theater is not restricted to just
wiping the TV screen every now and then (in the proper fashion, using the
proper cleaning fluid and cleaning cloth of course). Dusting off speakers,
amplifiers, Blu-Ray players, among other devices will increase their lifespan
as well as making the environment more pleasant for those watching. Careful
vacuuming should also be part of the mix, but avoiding static electricity and
accidental pulling of cables and wires must always be taken into account.

10)
Read The Manuals

Many of
the components populating your home theater come with "hidden"
features but aren't active due to it coming out of the box with default
settings. Spending a little time perusing a component's manual could result in
better personalization of how it works -- with results that are more suitable
to you.

Friday, November 03, 2017

The centerpiece of home entertainment is the video being
displayed. Forget about spinning discs, it's the online streaming apps that
make it possible to watch TV shows and movies without having to totally depend
on a television. But what sets each of the online streaming app's from each
other are the features they have. So here's the 10 best online streaming apps
that you can get and use today for entertaining you.

Netflix is a subscription based streaming service that
provides both TV shows, movies, documentaries as well as original content. It
can be accessed through tablets and smartphones, as well as computers,
stand-alone streaming devices, set-top boxes, gaming consoles and Smart
TVs.4K and Full HD resolution is
available, depending on the specific content to be viewed and the plan. There
is a subscription cost of $9.99 monthly, without commercials, for the plan
which includes HD and up to 2 screens viewed simultaneously. There is also a
$7.99 plan that allows only viewing one screen at a time in standard-definition
and a $11.99 monthly plan that includes 4K resolution and up to 4 screens at
once for viewing.

Movies, TV shows, documentaries and other content/original
content can be watched from a variety of devices -- such as tablets and
smartphones, as well as computers, stand-alone streaming devices, set-top
boxes, gaming consoles and Smart TVs. 4K resolution is available, along with
Full HD, depending on the specific content being watched. There are no
commercials, and the service is included for those who have paid the yearly $99
fee for the Prime delivery service (or $10.99 monthly).

The DirectTV Now app allows users to watch a select number
of live broadcast/cable channels, depending on the subscription package chosen
(beginning at $35.00). One does not have to be a DirecTV satellite subscriber
in order to use the service. The app can be used on smartphones/tablets as well
as on streaming devices and computers. Full HD resolution is available.

Hulu presents current television programs (with
commercials/$7.99 monthly, without commercials/$11.99 monthly) from the major
networks as well as a select number of cable channels the day after they have
aired. Also presented are movies and original content. Live TV is also offered,
at a cost of $40 monthly for accessing a select number of broadcast and cable
channels. Content is available in Full HD and 4K. The HULU app is available for
smartphones and tablets as well as computers, the Apple TV, Xbox One and
Amazon’s Fire TV and Fire TV Stick.

Live TV channels are provided in a number of channel packages,
beginning at $20 for 30+ select channels. Movies are also available to watch in
both standard and high-definition (HD). Sling TV can be viewed on
smartphones/tablets, laptops and computers, select gaming consoles and select
streaming devices.

This live streaming TV service provides multi-channel plans
for broadcast/cable networks, as well as the options for premium channels and a
"Cloud" based DVR. There are no annual contracts and subscription
packages start at $39.99 monthly. Resolution is available in Full HD and access
can be obtained through a smartphone/tablet app, as well as other devices such
as the PlayStation 4, Android TV and Roku streaming devices. Additionally, you
can stream to up to 5 devices simultaneously.

The app enables viewers to watch a wide number of TV shows
and movies, which comes in addition to those found exclusively on HBO. Content
is available in Full HD and can be accessed from smartphones/tablets, laptops
and computers, select gaming consoles and select streaming devices. There is a
flat fee of $14.99 monthly.

Paid membership of $9.99 monthly provides commercial free
viewing across YouTube, YouTube Music and YouTube gaming. There are other
benefits, including being able to save videos and songs to mobile devices for
offline access. The streaming service is available on smartphones/tablets,
computers and TVs.

A free service with ads found on the web, Popcornflix offers
free movies and TV shows. Content is available in standard definition and can
be accessed through the web as well as an app on smartphones, tablets,
streaming devices such as Roku and game consoles such as Xbox One and
PlayStation 4.